Climatica

C L I M A T I C A Forma urbis

n°2 Giovanni, Marco Chiri with texts and images of Ilaria Giovagnorio Foreword by MosÊ Ricci

C L I M A T I C A Forma urbis

n°2 Giovanni Marco Chiri with texts and images of Ilaria Giovagnorio Foreword by MosÊ Ricci

C L I M A T I C A Forma urbis

n°2 Giovanni Marco Chiri with texts and images of Ilaria Giovagnorio Foreword by MosÊ Ricci

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Foreword

Sustainability

Key concepts

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Genealogy

Pioneers

Practices

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Bibliography

Credits

Carnet

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Foreword

Sustainability

Key concepts

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Genealogy

Pioneers

Practices

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Bibliography

Credits

Carnet

Chapter ONE

Sustainability

The year is 2035.

“In New York, palm trees line the Hudson River from 125th Street to the Midtown exit. Phoenix is in its third week of temperatures over 130 degrees C and the project to cover the city with air-conditioned domes is still unfinished.

Holland is under water. Bangladesh has ceased to exist. Torrential rains and rising seas there have killed several million people and forced the remaining population into makeshift refugee camps on higher ground in Pakistan and India. In central Europe and the America Midwest, decades of drought have turned once fertile agricultural lands into parched deserts. Tens of millions of people continue to trek northward the greatest mass migration in recorded history. Canada’s population swells from 20 million to 200 million in less than 4 decades. Forest fires rage out of control over millions of acres in the Pacific Northwest, while the Mississippi River, closed to commercial traffic earlier in the century, becomes a vast earthen plain, allowing people to cross over by foot for the first time in human memory.

The ozone layer continues to shrink causing a pandemic of cancer deaths. Hundreds of millions of people are exposed to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation that compromise their immune system and millions more become vulnerable to a series of new and

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strange diseases sprouted on irreparable failures and the eradication of the entire ecosystem all over the planet. Welcome to the world of the twenty-first-century greenhouse effect.”

Jeremy Rifkin – Entropy Contemporary literature is now full of more or less imaginative or apocalyptic references to global climate change and its consequences on the world and its civilizations. Despite the resistance of some large countries, the global community has now accepted global warning, at least in general terms, and has agreed to introduce measures to stop (or at least slow down) the devastating effects of climate change on the Earth’s ecosystem.

There is, therefore, no need to add much more to the descriptions offered over the years on the subject or to highlight the importance of a paradigm shift in land use and consumption. There is, however, space for thinking that is still profound and sufficiently wide-ranging concerning the way in which architecture (and in particular the design of cities) can interact with on-going climate processes. However, the topic must be segmented into “scales.” The “macro” scale of urban and regional planning aims to trace the major strategic orientations for the

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Chapter ONE

Sustainability

The year is 2035.

“In New York, palm trees line the Hudson River from 125th Street to the Midtown exit. Phoenix is in its third week of temperatures over 130 degrees C and the project to cover the city with air-conditioned domes is still unfinished.

Holland is under water. Bangladesh has ceased to exist. Torrential rains and rising seas there have killed several million people and forced the remaining population into makeshift refugee camps on higher ground in Pakistan and India. In central Europe and the America Midwest, decades of drought have turned once fertile agricultural lands into parched deserts. Tens of millions of people continue to trek northward the greatest mass migration in recorded history. Canada’s population swells from 20 million to 200 million in less than 4 decades. Forest fires rage out of control over millions of acres in the Pacific Northwest, while the Mississippi River, closed to commercial traffic earlier in the century, becomes a vast earthen plain, allowing people to cross over by foot for the first time in human memory.

The ozone layer continues to shrink causing a pandemic of cancer deaths. Hundreds of millions of people are exposed to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation that compromise their immune system and millions more become vulnerable to a series of new and

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strange diseases sprouted on irreparable failures and the eradication of the entire ecosystem all over the planet. Welcome to the world of the twenty-first-century greenhouse effect.”

Jeremy Rifkin – Entropy Contemporary literature is now full of more or less imaginative or apocalyptic references to global climate change and its consequences on the world and its civilizations. Despite the resistance of some large countries, the global community has now accepted global warning, at least in general terms, and has agreed to introduce measures to stop (or at least slow down) the devastating effects of climate change on the Earth’s ecosystem.

There is, therefore, no need to add much more to the descriptions offered over the years on the subject or to highlight the importance of a paradigm shift in land use and consumption. There is, however, space for thinking that is still profound and sufficiently wide-ranging concerning the way in which architecture (and in particular the design of cities) can interact with on-going climate processes. However, the topic must be segmented into “scales.” The “macro” scale of urban and regional planning aims to trace the major strategic orientations for the

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Zhaoqing masterplan

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Zhaoqing masterplan - climate simulations

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Sustainability

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Zhaoqing masterplan

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Zhaoqing masterplan - climate simulations

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Sustainability

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2 CHAPTER TWO

“Visualize the future impact of all actions (undertaken or not)” Zygmunt Baumann

2 CHAPTER TWO

“Visualize the future impact of all actions (undertaken or not)” Zygmunt Baumann

Chapter THREE

Genealogy

This chapter focuses on a topic that has already been discussed and published; nevertheless the need to trace a sort of genealogy is still strategic. In order to demonstrate that, even if the term urban sustainability might be relatively new, the issue is not; the aforementioned publication sought to demonstrate the ability of ancient Roman engineers to plan new settlements by optimizing local climatic conditions. This approach can be easily considered a sort of proto-urban microclimatology. Even if is not the purpose of this book to provide in-depth historic research on Roman urban settlements, this chapter explores the approach of ancient civilizations to urban design in the very early steps of the process from a climate perspective.

The Roman approach is not applicable today; nevertheless it highlights the importance of a holistic approach that has been neglected in more current times.

One of the authors who wrote about the topic in 1935was the unknown Italian architect Gaetano Vinaccia. He was a pioneer of urban microclimatology during the 1930s– 1940s, and he was probably the first to focus attention on the environmental features of the Roman foundation process, correlating urban grid orientation with annual sun path and wind direction. Even if Vinaccia is

Orientation of some Roman cities in relation to the prevailing wind

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considered a minor figure in the architectural literature, his studies on the relationship between urban form and local microclimate can be considered innovative for the time.

Vinaccia’s approach was mainly based on his attempt to extend microclimatic issues to the urban scale (Polis-climatology). Today when current global energy and environmental conditions compel professionals to rethink design and planning processes concerning energy containment and the improvement of human comfort, his lessons appear to be extremely effective in the development of ‘environmental design,’ especially concerning the urban scale. The following chapter will offer some information on this figure and the role he played in scientific history. Here we focus on one of his most important publications, “Il Problema dell’Orientamento nell’Urbanistica dell’Antica Roma” (1935). The author’s theories were based on ancient manuscripts, particularly Vitruvius who stated that: «[cities] will be well built if winds are wisely kept out from squares and streets; [winds] which offended if cold, vitiate if hot, harm if wet.» The ancient knowledge of winds was manifested in the construction of a bronze wind rose, representing a triton, on which the 12 prevailing winds were depicted; Flavius Eutropius probably built the station during the empire of

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Chapter THREE

Genealogy

This chapter focuses on a topic that has already been discussed and published; nevertheless the need to trace a sort of genealogy is still strategic. In order to demonstrate that, even if the term urban sustainability might be relatively new, the issue is not; the aforementioned publication sought to demonstrate the ability of ancient Roman engineers to plan new settlements by optimizing local climatic conditions. This approach can be easily considered a sort of proto-urban microclimatology. Even if is not the purpose of this book to provide in-depth historic research on Roman urban settlements, this chapter explores the approach of ancient civilizations to urban design in the very early steps of the process from a climate perspective.

The Roman approach is not applicable today; nevertheless it highlights the importance of a holistic approach that has been neglected in more current times.

One of the authors who wrote about the topic in 1935was the unknown Italian architect Gaetano Vinaccia. He was a pioneer of urban microclimatology during the 1930s– 1940s, and he was probably the first to focus attention on the environmental features of the Roman foundation process, correlating urban grid orientation with annual sun path and wind direction. Even if Vinaccia is

Orientation of some Roman cities in relation to the prevailing wind

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considered a minor figure in the architectural literature, his studies on the relationship between urban form and local microclimate can be considered innovative for the time.

Vinaccia’s approach was mainly based on his attempt to extend microclimatic issues to the urban scale (Polis-climatology). Today when current global energy and environmental conditions compel professionals to rethink design and planning processes concerning energy containment and the improvement of human comfort, his lessons appear to be extremely effective in the development of ‘environmental design,’ especially concerning the urban scale. The following chapter will offer some information on this figure and the role he played in scientific history. Here we focus on one of his most important publications, “Il Problema dell’Orientamento nell’Urbanistica dell’Antica Roma” (1935). The author’s theories were based on ancient manuscripts, particularly Vitruvius who stated that: «[cities] will be well built if winds are wisely kept out from squares and streets; [winds] which offended if cold, vitiate if hot, harm if wet.» The ancient knowledge of winds was manifested in the construction of a bronze wind rose, representing a triton, on which the 12 prevailing winds were depicted; Flavius Eutropius probably built the station during the empire of

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from the winter winds, significant airflow obstruction is preferable; this can be granted by a rotation of 45° (+\- 10°) from the face of wind exposure. In eight cases out of 10, Venafrum, Bononia, Luna, Alba Pomepia, Teleia, Asculum, Tridentum and Pistoria had deviations of their grid axes from the main winter wind direction in the range of 34–54° (an average angle 44°); five out of 10 cases (Tridentum, Asculum, Alba Pompeia, Bononia and Venafrum) revealed a summer angle of less than 20° fostering greater ability to use natural ventilation during the hottest period.

This dual capacity can be better understood by taking into account the specific environmental features of each case.

Tridentum is located at 194 m a.s.l., and it is surrounded by high mountains (between 1000 and 2000 m a.s.l.). Winter is unusually frigid with heavy snowfalls. Conversely, during the summer the same mountains can produce wet conditions. In fact, humidity is partially mitigated by an urban orientation limited to 11° from the direction of the principal summer winds.

Asculum is characterized by a sub-Apennine climate with a cold, humid winter. Balkan streams together with the ‘Stau’ effect produce frequent, strong snowfalls and low temperatures with late frosts and fog. During the summer, the city suffers the heat, which is alleviated by fresh breezes.

Alba Pompeia is characterized by a typical Po valley climate: cold winters and hot,

Orientation of Roman cities. From Gaetano Vinaccia

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humid summers. It requires ventilation to mitigate dampness and humidity.

Bononia is described as ‘a site rich in waters’ (Maffei, 2002); the settlement exploits its orientation to fight the cold winters, a product of the nearby TuscanEmilian Apennines, and the very hot-humid summers, which require greater airflow.

Venafrum is sited on a slope near the Santa Croce Mountain (1026 m a.s.l.). Its orientation protects it from the northwest and southeast cold waves, at the same mitigating time the hot and humid summer conditions.

Pistoria, Telesia, and Luna show explicit protection of the settlements during the cold season. Pistoria is, in fact, recognized as one of the coldest Tuscan cities where humidity amplifies the sensation of cold.

Luna, located in the Gulf of La Spezia, is designed to oppose the conditions influenced mainly by the sea. Verona and Augusta Baggianorum are the only two cases that did not show clear seasonal tendencies. In the case of Verona, its urban organization is sufficiently favourable to the local wind, and can probably be read in terms of a local microclimate characterized by much fog and moisture.

Numerical values of seasonal wind intensity obtained from CFD simulations support the previous considerations. Such values were generated in correspondence to specific ‘control points’ and subsequently used to

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from the winter winds, significant airflow obstruction is preferable; this can be granted by a rotation of 45° (+\- 10°) from the face of wind exposure. In eight cases out of 10, Venafrum, Bononia, Luna, Alba Pomepia, Teleia, Asculum, Tridentum and Pistoria had deviations of their grid axes from the main winter wind direction in the range of 34–54° (an average angle 44°); five out of 10 cases (Tridentum, Asculum, Alba Pompeia, Bononia and Venafrum) revealed a summer angle of less than 20° fostering greater ability to use natural ventilation during the hottest period.

This dual capacity can be better understood by taking into account the specific environmental features of each case.

Tridentum is located at 194 m a.s.l., and it is surrounded by high mountains (between 1000 and 2000 m a.s.l.). Winter is unusually frigid with heavy snowfalls. Conversely, during the summer the same mountains can produce wet conditions. In fact, humidity is partially mitigated by an urban orientation limited to 11° from the direction of the principal summer winds.

Asculum is characterized by a sub-Apennine climate with a cold, humid winter. Balkan streams together with the ‘Stau’ effect produce frequent, strong snowfalls and low temperatures with late frosts and fog. During the summer, the city suffers the heat, which is alleviated by fresh breezes.

Alba Pompeia is characterized by a typical Po valley climate: cold winters and hot,

Orientation of Roman cities. From Gaetano Vinaccia

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humid summers. It requires ventilation to mitigate dampness and humidity.

Bononia is described as ‘a site rich in waters’ (Maffei, 2002); the settlement exploits its orientation to fight the cold winters, a product of the nearby TuscanEmilian Apennines, and the very hot-humid summers, which require greater airflow.

Venafrum is sited on a slope near the Santa Croce Mountain (1026 m a.s.l.). Its orientation protects it from the northwest and southeast cold waves, at the same mitigating time the hot and humid summer conditions.

Pistoria, Telesia, and Luna show explicit protection of the settlements during the cold season. Pistoria is, in fact, recognized as one of the coldest Tuscan cities where humidity amplifies the sensation of cold.

Luna, located in the Gulf of La Spezia, is designed to oppose the conditions influenced mainly by the sea. Verona and Augusta Baggianorum are the only two cases that did not show clear seasonal tendencies. In the case of Verona, its urban organization is sufficiently favourable to the local wind, and can probably be read in terms of a local microclimate characterized by much fog and moisture.

Numerical values of seasonal wind intensity obtained from CFD simulations support the previous considerations. Such values were generated in correspondence to specific ‘control points’ and subsequently used to

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theoretical approach to human environmental design.

Today, when environmental and bioclimatic questions are posed with great force in architecture and planning, the re-evaluation of Vinaccia’s work might be useful by influencing the architectural debate on sustainable development and urban growth and by filling that gap in the dialogue between planners and meteorologists which Lansberg decried in 1981.

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pioneers

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theoretical approach to human environmental design.

Today, when environmental and bioclimatic questions are posed with great force in architecture and planning, the re-evaluation of Vinaccia’s work might be useful by influencing the architectural debate on sustainable development and urban growth and by filling that gap in the dialogue between planners and meteorologists which Lansberg decried in 1981.

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Credits

The biography of Gaetano Vinaccia that we have sought to trace in this text reveals the multifaceted formation of the architect. His solid competence on the technical issues associated with a sensitivity towards urban and built quality allowed him to reach a synthesis of knowledge that today can only be achieved through the coordination of various expert figures. My thanks go primarily to Ilaria Giovagnorio who, between 2011 and 2016, shared this research in the context of her collaboration with DICAAR. I would also like to thank Maria Grazia Badas and Simone Ferrari for the patience shown in explaining the arcana of fluid mechanics to an architect and for their foresight in wanting to explore a hybrid territory encompassing different disciplines. The contribution and support of Emanuele Mura and Giuseppe Desogus should certainly be mentioned on a par with that of Alessandro Palmas of CONSELF for the use of CFD software on the case studies. Daniela Piga and Elisabetta Pittorru lent their time to the first experiments and Daniela Usai‘s thesis accompanied the writing of the text on the Roman city. Finally, special thanks goes to the engineer Cesare Silvi for his studies on the Italian pioneer of “climatic urban design” which guided and inspired this work.

The texts and images of this book are by Giovanni Marco Chiri and Ilaria Giovagnorio equally

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Credits

The biography of Gaetano Vinaccia that we have sought to trace in this text reveals the multifaceted formation of the architect. His solid competence on the technical issues associated with a sensitivity towards urban and built quality allowed him to reach a synthesis of knowledge that today can only be achieved through the coordination of various expert figures. My thanks go primarily to Ilaria Giovagnorio who, between 2011 and 2016, shared this research in the context of her collaboration with DICAAR. I would also like to thank Maria Grazia Badas and Simone Ferrari for the patience shown in explaining the arcana of fluid mechanics to an architect and for their foresight in wanting to explore a hybrid territory encompassing different disciplines. The contribution and support of Emanuele Mura and Giuseppe Desogus should certainly be mentioned on a par with that of Alessandro Palmas of CONSELF for the use of CFD software on the case studies. Daniela Piga and Elisabetta Pittorru lent their time to the first experiments and Daniela Usai‘s thesis accompanied the writing of the text on the Roman city. Finally, special thanks goes to the engineer Cesare Silvi for his studies on the Italian pioneer of “climatic urban design” which guided and inspired this work.

The texts and images of this book are by Giovanni Marco Chiri and Ilaria Giovagnorio equally

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The contemporary debate on sustainability issues is recently drawing its attention towards the climatic analysis of urbanization models and the relationship between urban form and the city’s energy performance and livability.

Often neglected, urban form bears intrinsic qualities that can determine the success or failure of energy-related, economical and social policies. This book explores this deep relation, reflecting upon the role of environmental knowledge and conscience in the design of cities: the place par excellence for human life.